Snowgum Lodge Niseko and Niseko

Posted on by

Niseko

Had prebooked a Whiteliner package including return transport and 4 day all mountain ski pass (includes Hanazano, Niseko Hirafu, Niseko Village and Annapuri which all share different slopes off the same main peak). Had absolutely awesome powder snow my first two days with 20+cm overnight, then a windy third day and blue sky (rare in Niseko ) fourth day.

Snowgum Lodge Niseko

Spent five nights at this Australian run lodge (alongside its sibling Ramat Niseko). Somewhat out of town in East Hirafu but daily lodge first tracks bus to Niseko Gondola, regular half hour resort bus to a stop only 50M away and late at night only a 10min walk or US$10 cab fare.

Simple lodge accommodation with mostly shared showers and bathrooms but super comfortable beds and bedding, great breakfasts and a good communal atmosphere. The hosts could not have been more accommodating picking up from bus, running dinner shuttles and organising activities including onsen and snow mobileing.

Snowgum is next to Ramat Niseko which is owned by the same people and has a bar, pool table, darts and a good value three course meal every couple of nights. Both lodges have WiFi, games machines and a number of tv’s with plenty of dvd’s to watch.

DSCN0062.JPGDSCN0068.JPG

Niseko itself is awesome powder and a great experience – definitely on the go back to list.

For those who go recommend the buffet lunches at Melt at the Hilton Niseko Village and also the Buffet Restuarant at Annapuri.

CX580 HKG-CTS

Posted on by

CX580 HKG-CTS 18-Feb
Seat 2A, B747-400 (First seat with Business service) Reg. B-HKT

Lunch

Starters
Poached Angel prawns with seaweed and plum mayonnaise
Mixed salad with artichoke, marinated mixed peppers and mint yoghurt dressinh
Mugwort soba noodles

Main Courses
Pan-fried Australian beef tenderloin with yuzu pepper miso butter sauce, steamed Japanese rice and mixed vegetables
Sauteed ling fillet with sa cha sauce, steamed jasmine rice, btoccoli with ginger
Roasted chicken breast in port wine sauce, creamy Parmesan polenta, roasted carrot, turnip and parsnip
Saffron fettucine with tomato concasse and Parmesan cheese

Cheese and dessert
Fruit selection
Fresh seasonal fruit
Ice cream

Tea and Coffee
Praline

Wine
Champagne – Champagne Deutz, Brut Classic
White – Mount Riley Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2010 (NZ); Domaine des Malandes Chablis 2009 (France)
Red – L’Esperance du Retout Haut Medoc 2009 (France); Moonvine McLaren Vale Shiraz Cabernet Merlot 2009 (SA Australia)
Port – Dow’s Late Bottled Vintage Port 2006

DSCN0046.JPG DSCN0047.JPG DSCN0048.JPG DSCN0050.JPG

When I originally booked the flight I had been in the Business cabin, but when Cathay shifted to Amadeus the First cabin became available so I selected 2A (on the Qantas website) which changed my seat selection on Cathay and it stuck. First cabin was full so I assume a lot of high-tier Cathay pax also upgraded.

New HKG Wing Business Lounge

Posted on by

A quick trip to the new Wing Business Lounge (just to see it – as a Qantas Platinum/ oneworld Emerald I am entitled to the First Lounge, but it had just reopened) for a coffee at the Coffee lounge and Dim Sum at the Noodle Bar. Quite impressed with the understated yet classy feel to the place.

Particularly impressed with the view from the Coffee Lounge.

Some photos that were new when I took them (but it took two months to get the blog up)

DSCN0042.JPGDSCN0043.JPGDSCN0044.JPG DSCN0045.JPG

Novotel Taipei Taowan

Posted on by

Quickly through immigration and after a false start found the hotel shuttle which was fairly full at this late hour. Luggage was last off the shuttle so a small wait for checkin. Upgraded to high floor room given drink voucher (valid that night) as an Accor Aclub Platinum. Breakfast in a bag arranged and taxi booked for 5am (a big Twd100 or a$3).

Very modern room with electronic glass bathroom window and a big teddy bear in the room. Early wake-up call, to the airport and to the gate (minus the breakfast pack juice)

Band at the bar was still going near midnight (I did have to use the free drink voucher)

ATM in the carpark underneath the hotel gave me a 100 note for the taxi – thats use of change (and my 28Degrees card)

DSCN0040.JPGDSCN0041.JPG

CX468 HKG-TPE

Posted on by

CX468 HKG-TPE 17-Feb
Airbus A340 B-KPK Seat 2K

Menu (402/468 02/12)

Dinner

Starter
Loch Tyne salmon with marinated prawn and roasted pepper

Main Courses
Braised chicken and chestnuts in oyster sauce, egg fried rice and stir-fried baby pak choy with bean curd skin
Grilled veal fillet with Madeira sauce, honey roasted swedes, French beans, sautéed tomato and mixed mushrooms
Spinach and Ricotta cheese tortellini with tomato concasse and pine nuts

Dessert
Raspberry swirl cheese cake with raspberry coulis in a chocolate cup

Tea and Coffee

Wine (400,402,406,408,462,464,466,468,470,472 1-2-2012)
Champagne – Champagne Armour De Deutz Brut 2002
White – Bouchard Père & Fils Meursault Les Clous 2006 (Côte de Beanue, Burgundy, France); Villa Maria Single Vineyard Southern Clays Sauvignon Blanc 2010 (NZ)
Red – Château Branaire-Ducru 4ème Cruise Class 2007 (Saint-Julien of Haut Medoc, Bordeaux, France); D’Arenberg The Galvo Garage Cabernet Blend 2006 (Adelaide Hills, SA, Australia); Wooing Tree Pinot Noir 2007 (Central Otago, New Zealand)

DSCN0030.JPG DSCN0031.JPGDSCN0036.JPGDSCN0037.JPG

And of course I had to have some JW Blue before landing!

Very impressed with the Cathay First Cabin. Plenty of storage with a little private closet in front of the seat including room for my tri-fold and jacket. The rollaboard went underneath the guest seat.

DSCN0027.JPG DSCN0038.JPG

Very empty First Class with only one other passenger.

QF127 SYD-HKG

Posted on by

QF127 SYD-HKG 17-Feb
Airbus A380-800 VH-OQF Seat 2A

DSCN0021.JPGDSCN0024.JPG

First Menu

Canapes
Corn and Manchego Fritters with Capsicum Relish; Spanner Crab and Ruby Grapefruit on Betel Leaves

Salad and other things
Roasted Tomato Soup with Thyme Croutons
Chinese Style Duck Salad with Pickled Cabbage
Salad of Jamon Iberico and Arbequina Olives Balsamic Vinaigrette

Light Meals
Pan Fried Blue Eye with Lemon and Olive Oil Dressing and Steamed Vegetables
Reuben Sandwich
Big bowl of Sweet Corn Congee with Toasted Sesame
Lamb, Pea and Mint Pot Pie
Our signature Steak Sandwich with Tomato and Chilli Relish

Main Courses
Potato Gnocchi with Braised Italian Vegetables, Pesto and Parmesan Cheese
Pan Fried Blue Eye with Spiced Eggplant, Gai Lan and Ginger Glaze
Chicken Kapi Kapitan with Fragrant Rice, Fried Eschalots and Snake Beans
Seared Rangers Valley Skirt Steak with Potato and Leek Gratin, Asparagus and Horseradish
Slow Cooked Spiced Kurobuta Pork with Fresh Salsa, Soft Tortillas and Sour Cream

Side Salad
Salad of Baby Cos, Radicchio and Frisee with your choice of dressing:
Aged Balsamic and Extra Virgin Olive Oil; Fresh Lemon Juice and Extra Virgin Olive Oil; Palm Sugar Vinaigrette

Cheese
Blue, soft and hard cheese, hand selected by Will Studd, Maitre Fromager, Calendar Cheese Company, served with accompaniements

Desserts
Date, Orange and Cinnamon Tart and Double Cream
Vanilla Panna Cotta with Fresh Strawberries and Sorbet
Nice Cream Chocolate Coated Raspberry Ice Cream
Whole or Sliced Seasonal Fruit

Petit Fours
A selection of Cacao hand made chocolates:
Blueberry and Polenta Cake
Roasted Almond and Cognac Biscuits

Wine
Champagne – Tattinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs
White – Leeuwin Estate ‘Art Series’ Chardonnay 2008 (Margaret River WA); Tyrrels ‘Vat 1’ Hunter Semillon 2005 (Hunter Valley NSW); Gembrook Hill Sauvignon Blanc 2010 (Yarra Valley VIC)
Red – Clonakilla Shiraz Voigner 2009 (Canberra District NSW); The Wanderer Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 2010 (Yarra Valley VIC); Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 (Margaret River WA)
Dessert – Mount Horrocks Cordon Cut Riesling 2009 (Clare Valley SA)

DSCN0022.JPG DSCN0023.JPG

Service was absolutely brilliant with no complaints. Midway through I asked for a snack and was also given the J Class menu as it had some different choices. While it does I was more interested in the lack of differentiation to the F menu as you can see below. I settled on the steak sandwich however! The Business wines were notably more modest.

DSCN0026.JPG DSCN0025.JPG

Business Menu

Entree
Roasted Tomato Soup with Thyme Croutons
Chinese Style Duck Salad with Pickled Cabbage

Main Courses
Potato Gnocchi with Braised Italian Vegetables, Pesto and Parmesan Cheese
Pan Fried Blue Eye with Spiced Eggplant, Gai Lan and Ginger Glaze
Chicken Kapi Kapitan with Fragrant Rice, Fried Eschalots and Snake Beans
Rangers Valley Fed Skirt Steak with Potato and Leek Gratin, Asparagus and Ree Wine Sauce

Salad of Baby Cos, Radicchio and Frisee with Chardonnay Dressing

Dessert
Seasonal cheese hand-selected by Calendar Cheese Company, served with accompaniements
Nice Cream Strawberry and Mascarpone Ice Cream with Berry Compote
Sliced Fresh Fruit

Chocolates
Valrhona Chocolates

Refreshment
Reuben Sandwich
Lamb, Pea and Mint Pot Pie
Roast Capsicum, Confit Onion and Feta Tart with Green Leaf Salad
Whole Seasonal Fruit
Roasted Almond and Cognac Biscuits
Hand Cooked Potato Chips
Fine Fettle Dried Fruit
Nice Cream Ice Cream Tubs
Valrhona Chocolate Bars

Off the plane and through transit security super quickly whence I struggled to find the Qantas First Lounge to meet with AFF Fanatic125 – its on the top level opposite CX Wing First. Actually fairly impressed with the overall openness of this lounge. Showed him the comparison between the QF First and Business menus which was interesting (and the subject of a separate post). We said our goodbyes and headed for the gate.

I should add a slight change of equipment for the trip report. Almost entirely typed on my BlackBerry PlayBook (with upgrade to the much better OS2 mid trip which includes an awesome predictive text app). Camera switched to a brand new Nikon S9100 including an 18x zoom – ordered from DSI in HK Mon night and delivered Thu morning.

Some oneworld Firsts

Posted on by

Having recently had my employment status change (as some who were at AFF Sydney drinks are aware of) I decided on a short ski trip to Niseko, Japan – one of the snowiest best powder ski regions in the world. I also wanted to take full advantage of the recent Qantas double status credit promotion to Hong Kong and get nearer to Lifetime Gold (within spitting distance)

Bookings consisted of a FASA To HKG, Classic First to TPE, Business Saver return to CTS Via HKG And then a D Class Circle Pacific 22k home.

Left Sydney having not quite locked in the Circle Pacific home after struggling to get the ticket issued. Initially failed on a few counts with HK that they failed to pick up (4 lax transits and 2 Syd transits). HK failed to contact me about the error and it took over a week to work it out with various calls to HK and Dallas. Eventually got it sorted with a special exemption to break the 7-day ticketing rule (ticket was settled 7-days before but HK not open to accept payment) and a scanned credit card form for the HK office.

Reflecting my employment situation I decided to go the cheap way to the Airport – Train + 400 Bus. Left home at 9am for Banksia station to 400 bus. For reference the Banksia station stop is on the shop side not Princess Hwy.

QF First checking queue was outside the enclosed ox so I went to Business for the first time in a long while where there was no queue. A quick visit to First Lounge for a prebooked massage (where the staff directed me to go directly there arriving 5 min before appointment but also reserved a table for me when I finished, although it wasn’t needed). Massage superb and I took a few photos of the massage room.

DSCN0015.JPGDSCN0016.JPG DSCN0017.JPGDSCN0019.JPG

Then onto to A380 Seat 2A (I’ve done 1A before!) which was my choice for  the trip.